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Third-party references can help explain layoff

By J.T. O'Donnell & Dale Dauten

Posted:
04/08/2013 11:36:35 AM MDT

Updated:
04/08/2013 11:54:46 AM MDT

Dear J.T. & Dale: I have been retired for more than five years, and have had various temp jobs from time to time. I didn't like my last full-time job, and I haven't found any job since that I really enjoyed. I recently turned 70. Do you think I have any hope of getting a decent job doing what I enjoy?- Bill

J.T.: I guess I'm just an eternal optimist, because I believe we can all find rewarding work if we set the right expectations and search the right way. You start with questions: What do I care about most? How do I want to make a difference? Then you look for jobs that fit into that bigger picture. Do that, and I feel certain you will find something.

DALE: Curious, I went to biography.com to look over its list of famous people who will be turning 70 this year. There I found one of my favorite historians, Doris Kearns Goodwin, along with Mick Jagger, John Kerry, Ben Kingsley and many others. They all bring wonderful energy to their work; however, I'm guessing the real secret of their lasting enthusiasm is that they get wonderful energy from their work. You might be thinking that it's easy for them - they are, after all, highly paid individuals at the tops of their professions. True. However, if Doris Kearns Goodwin were not famous or so highly accomplished, what would she be doing? I bet she'd be teaching at a local community college, or volunteering as a docent at her local historical society, or writing a family history. She'd be joyfully pursuing her passion. Follow the energy.

J.T.: One way to discover that energy is through volunteer work, then follow the energy into careers. The other option is to find ways to bring enjoyment to whatever work is available to you. For instance, there's a man in his 70s who works at my grocery store, who told me that when he took the job bagging groceries, he set himself a goal to bring a smile to every customer who passes by. He has certainly achieved his mission with me - he makes me smile every time!

Dear J.T. & Dale: You recently wrote that people who've been out of work a month or longer are discriminated against when looking for new jobs. Due to cost-cutting, I was let go last April, despite having a great year. I wonder how I can level the playing field and get interviews. For example, should I play dumb and "forget" to update my LinkedIn profile so it shows that I'm still employed? - Rob

DALE: First, Rob, let us take a moment to consider your story as a cautionary tale. You were having a tremendous year ... right up to the point where you got laid off. We hear that a lot. No wonder J.T. started saying, "Every job is a temporary job." That means that we are perpetually in the job market, forever - so we need to constantly be improving marketable skills, expanding networks, keeping a list of target employers and otherwise doing all the things you would do if you were in a job search.

J.T.: One of the worst things about being let go after doing great work is trying to explain it to hiring managers - they look at you like you must be crazy. That's why you need to back up your story with third-party credibility. For starters, instead of "forgetting" to update your LinkedIn profile, work on getting plenty of endorsements and recommendations from former colleagues. Use this to showcase yourself to hiring managers, proving that you were greatly appreciated in your last job. That way, your explanation about being let go because of cost-cutting makes sense. Secondly, third-party credibility also means using your network to connect with hiring managers. If they first hear about you from a colleague, they will actually listen to the reason you were out of work. It's a tough battle when you're fighting the unemployment stigma, but I can tell you people who leverage third-party credibility get hired faster.

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